• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제45권1호
• /
• pp.108-118
• /
• 2021

Background: Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) contains a variety of ginsenosides that can be metabolized to a biologically active substance, compound K. Previous research showed that compound K could be enriched in the red ginseng extract (RGE) after hydrolysis by pectinase. The current study investigated whether the enzymatically hydrolyzed red ginseng extract (HRGE) containing a notable level of compound K has cognitive improving and neuroprotective effects. Methods: A scopolamine-induced hypomnesic mouse model was subjected to behavioral tasks, such as the Y-maze, passive avoidance, and the Morris water maze tests. After sacrificing the mice, the brains were collected, histologically examined (hematoxylin and eosin staining), and the expressions of antioxidant proteins analyzed by western blot. Results: Behavioral assessment indicated that the oral administration of HRGE at a dosage of 300 mg/kg body weight reversed scopolamine-induced learning and memory deficits. Histological examination demonstrated that the hippocampal damage observed in scopolamine-treated mouse brains was reduced by HRGE administration. In addition, HRGE administration increased the expression of nuclear-factor-E2-related factor 2 and its downstream antioxidant enzymes NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase and heme oxygenase-1 in hippocampal tissue homogenates. An in vitro assay using HT22 mouse hippocampal neuronal cells demonstrated that HRGE treatment attenuated glutamate-induced cytotoxicity by decreasing the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species. Conclusion: These findings suggest that HRGE administration can effectively alleviate hippocampus-mediated cognitive impairment, possibly through cytoprotective mechanisms, preventing oxidative-stress-induced neuronal cell death via the upregulation of phase 2 antioxidant molecules.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제46권3호
• /
• pp.473-480
• /
• 2022

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a disease characterized by abnormal proliferation of the prostate, which occurs frequently in middle-aged men. In this study, we report the effect of red ginseng oil (KGC11o) on BPH. Methods: The BPH-induced Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into seven groups: control, BPH, KGC11o 25, 50, 100, 200, and finasteride groups. KGC11o and finasteride were administered for 8 weeks. The BPH biomarkers, DHT, 5AR1, and 5AR2, androgen receptor, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), Bax, Bcl-2, and TGF-β were determined in the serum and prostate tissue. The cell viability after KGC11o treatment was determined using BPH-1 cells, and, androgen receptor, Bax, Bcl-2, and TGF-β were confirmed by western blotting. Results: In the in vivo study, administration of KGC11o reduced prostate weight by 18%, suppressed DHT (up to 22%) and 5AR2 (up to 12%) levels from administration of 100 mg/kg KGC11o (P < 0.05). PSA was significantly downregulated dose-dependently from at the concentration of 50 mg/kg KGC11o (P < 0.05). BPH-1 cell viability significantly reduced through the treatment with KGC11o. In vitro and vivo, AR, Bcl-2 TGF-β levels reduced significantly but Bax was increased (P < 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that KGC11o may inhibit the development of BPH by significantly reducing the levels of BPH biomarkers via 5ARI, anti-androgenic effect, and anti-proliferation effect, serving as a potential functional food for treating BPH.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제46권1호
• /
• pp.126-137
• /
• 2022

Background: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is one of the main chronic liver diseases. NASH is identified by lipid accumulation, inflammation, and fibrosis. Jinan Red Ginseng (JRG) and licorice have been widely used because of their anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects. Hence, this study assessed JRG and licorice extract mixtures' effects on NASH progression. Methods: Palmitic acid (PA) and the western diet (WD) plus, high glucose-fructose water were used to induce in vitro and in vivo NASH. Mice were orally administered with JRG-single (JRG-S) and JRG-mixtures (JRG-M; JRG-S + licorice) at 0, 50, 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg/day once a day during the last half-period of diet feeding. Results: JRG-S and JRG-M reduced NASH-related pathologies in WD-fed mice. JRG-S and JRG-M consistently decreased the mRNA level of genes related with inflammation, fibrosis, and lipid metabolism. The treatment of JRG-S and JRG-M also diminished the SREBP-1c protein levels and the p-AMPK/AMPK ratio. The FAS protein levels were decreased by JRG-M treatment both in vivo and in vitro but not JRG-S. Conclusion: JRG-M effectively reduced lipogenesis by modulating AMPK downstream signaling. Our findings suggest that this mixture can be used as a prophylactic or therapeutic alternative for the remedy of NASH.

• 인삼문화
• /
• 제6권
• /
• pp.116-134
• /
• 2024

본 연구는 인삼 시장에 대한 분석을 통해 고려인삼 수출의 문제점을 파악하고자 하였다. 따라서 본 연구는 동북아시아의 주요 인삼 생산국인 한국과 중국의 인삼 경작면적, 수확 면적, 생산량 등의 인삼 생산 현황에 대해 파악하였고 한국의 경우 인삼의 평균 가격, 경영비용, 생산비용 등을 별도로 정리함으로써 생산 측면의 고려인삼의 생산 경쟁력을 보여주고자 하였다. 이어 주요 인삼수출국으로서의 한국, 중국, 홍콩의 수출량, 수출액, 수출단가와 같은 수출 동향과 주요 수출 품목 및 관세율 등의 수출 데이터를 정리하여 고려인삼의 수출 경쟁력을 보여주고자 하였다. 이에 덧붙여 중국, 홍콩, 대만의 인삼 소비 현황을 다양한 사례와 사건을 통해 보여줌으로써 수출국 현지의 소비 형태를 파악하고자 하였다. 생산, 수출, 소비 등에 대한 정보를 미루어봤을 때, 본 연구는 고려인삼의 수출 과정의 장애 요소를 수출시장의 경기침체, 취약한 고려인삼의 가격 경쟁력, 중국 삼과 서양 삼 등 경쟁제품의 시장점유율 증가, 홍보와 판촉의 부족, 다양한 인삼 제품의 개발과 수출의 부족 등으로 도출했다. 동시에 이를 극복하기 위한 방법으로 수출 다각화, 효과적인 생산 시스템 구축, 품질 및 브랜드 강화, 홍보와 마케팅 강화, 다양한 제품 개발 등의 전략을 제안한다.

• 한국응용과학기술학회지
• /
• 제35권2호
• /
• pp.325-335
• /
• 2018

본 연구는 화장품 소재로서 인삼복합물의 가능성을 확인하기 위한 것이다. 이를 위해 우리는 인삼복합물 에탄올 추출물을 사용하여 항염증, 미백 효과에 대한 생물학적 활성 평가를 수행하였다. 시료는 인삼(A), 상황(B), 리기다소나무(C)를 각 70% 에탄올로 추출한 후 (A)1 : (B)1 : (C)0.5의 비율로 혼합한 시료를 사용하였다. 대식세포(RAW 264.7 cells)내에서 시료의 항염증 효과를 평가하기 위해 MTT assay를 이용한 샘플의 독성평가와 nitric oxide 생성 저해 활성 및 염증관련 단백질 및 유전자의 발현량을 확인하였다. 시료의 미백 효과를 평가하기 위해서 멜라노마(B16F10 cell)를 이용해 MTT assay를 통한 샘플의 독성평가, cellular tyrosinase 저해율 측정 및 멜라닌 생합성량을 측정하였다. LPS로 유도된 RAW 264.7 세포내에서 시료의 nitric oxide 저해 활성 결과는 $25{\mu}g/mL$ 농도에서 71.2%의 우수한 효능을 나타내었으며 western blot 실험결과 iNOS, COX-2 단백질의 발현은 농도 의존적으로 감소하는 것을 확인하였다. Tyrosinase 활성 억제 실험에서 인삼복합물의 농도 $50{\mu}g/mL$에서 36.8%의 감소를 나타냈으며 멜라닌 생합성 억제 평가 결과에서 농도 $50{\mu}g/mL$에서 47.8%의 감소를 나타냈다. 상기 실험 결과로부터 인삼복합물의 우수한 항염증, 미백 효능을 확인하였으며 향후 안전한 천연 화장품 원료로 사용될 수 있음을 확인하였다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제40권2호
• /
• pp.141-150
• /
• 2016

Background: Adipocyte-macrophage communication plays a critical role regulating white adipose tissue (WAT) inflammatory gene expression. Because WAT inflammation contributes to the development of metabolic diseases, there is significant interest in understanding how exogenous compounds regulate the adipocyte-macrophage crosstalk. An aqueous (AQ) extract of North American (NA) ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) was previously shown to have strong inflammo-regulatory properties in adipocytes. This study examined whether different ginseng extracts influence adipocyte-macrophage crosstalk, as well as WAT inflammatory gene expression. Methods: The effects of AQ and ethanol (EtOH) ginseng extracts ($5{\mu}g/mL$) on adipocyte and macrophage inflammatory gene expression were studied in 3T3-L1 and RAW264.7 cells, respectively, using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Adipose tissue organ culture was also used to examine the effects of ginseng extracts on epididymal WAT (EWAT) and inguinal subcutaneous WAT (SWAT) inflammatory gene expression. Results: The AQ extract caused significant increases in the expression of common inflammatory genes (e.g., Mcp1, Ccl5, Tnf-${\alpha}$, Nos2) in both cell types. Culturing adipocytes in media from macrophages treated with the AQ extract, and vice versa, also induced inflammatory gene expression. Adipocyte Ppar-${\gamma}$ expression was reduced with the AQ extract. The AQ extract strongly induced inflammatory gene expression in EWAT, but not in SWAT. The EtOH extract had no effect on inflammatory gene expression in either both cell types or WAT. Conclusion: These findings provide important new insights into the inflammo-regulatory role of NA ginseng in WAT.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제28권6호
• /
• pp.860-873
• /
• 2018

Although ginseng marc is a by-product obtained during manufacturing of various commercial ginseng products and has been routinely discarded as a waste, it still contains considerable amounts of potential bioactive compounds, including saponins and polysaccharides. Previously, we reported that ginseng oligosaccharides derived from ginseng marc polysaccharides by enzymatic hydrolysis exert immunostimulatory activities in macrophages and these activated macrophages are in turn able to inhibit the growth of skin melanoma cells by inducing apoptosis. In the present study, a more detailed investigation of the immunostimulatory activity and underlying action mechanisms of an enzymatic hydrolysate (GEH) containing these oligosaccharides derived from ginseng marc polysaccharides was performed. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines were measured in GEH-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages using RT-PCR analysis and ELISA. The expression levels of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4, Dectin-1, and MerTK were measured by RT-PCR analysis or western blot analysis, and the phagocytic activities of GEH-challenged bone marrow-derived macrophages toward apoptotic Jurkat cells were assayed using fluorescence microscopy. GEH induced the production of both proinflammatory cytokines $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6, and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in RAW 264.7 cells. The expression of the TLR2 and MerTK mRNAs was increased upon GEH treatment. Phagocytosis of apoptotic Jurkat cells was enhanced in GEH-treated macrophages. Based on the results, this enzymatic hydrolysate (GEH) containing oligosaccharides exerts immunostimulatory effects by maintaining the balance between M1 and M2 cytokines, facilitating macrophage activation and contributing to the efficient phagocytosis of apoptotic cells. Therefore, the GEH could be developed as value-added, health-beneficial food materials with immunostimulatory effects.

• 약학회지
• /
• 제52권5호
• /
• pp.345-354
• /
• 2008

This study was designed to investigate the anti-diabetic effect and mechanism of Korean red ginseng extract through transcriptomics in C57BL/KsJ db/db mice. The db/db mice were randomly divided into six groups: diabetic control group (DC), red ginseng extract low dose group (RGL, 100 mg/kg), red ginseng extract high dose group (RGH, 200 mg/kg), metformin group (MET, 300 mg/kg), glipizide group (GPZ, 15 mg/kg) and pioglitazone group (PIO, 30 mg/kg), and treated with drugs once per day for 10 weeks. At the end of treatment, we measured blood glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), triglyceride (TG), adiponectin, leptin, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA). RGL-treated group lowered the blood glucose and HbA1c levels by 19.6% and 11.4% compared to those in diabetic control group. In addition, plasma adiponectin and leptin levels in RGL-treated groups were increased by 20% and 12%, respectively, compared to those in diabetic control. Morphological analyses of liver, pancreas and epidydimal adipose tissue were done by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and pancreatic islet insulin and glucagon levels were detected by double-immunofluorescence staining. RGL-treated group revealed higher insulin contents and lower glucagon contents compared to diabetic control. To elucidate an action mechanism of Korean red ginseng, DNA microarray analyses were performed in liver and fat tissues, and western blot and RT-PCR were conducted in liver for validation. According to hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis of gene expression Korean red ginseng treated groups were close to metformin treated group. In summary, Korean red ginseng lowered the blood glucose level through protecting destruction of islet cells and shifting glucose metabolism from hepatic glucose production to glucose utilization and improving insulin sensitivity through enhancing plasma adiponectin and leptin levels.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제45권6호
• /
• pp.717-725
• /
• 2021

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is a traditional herb that has several beneficial properties including anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and autophagy regulatory effects. However, the mechanisms of these effects are not well understood. In this report, the underlying mechanisms of anti-inflammatory and autophagy-promoting effects were investigated in aged mice treated with KRG-water extract (WE) over a long period. Methods: The mechanisms of anti-inflammatory and autophagy-promoting activities of KRG-WE were evaluated in kidney, lung, liver, stomach, and colon of aged mice using semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), and western blot analysis. Results: KRG-WE significantly suppressed the mRNA expression levels of inflammation-related genes such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- α, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and IL-6 in kidney, lung, liver, stomach, and colon of the aged mice. Furthermore, KRG-WE downregulated the expression of transcription factors and their protein levels associated with inflammation in lung and kidney of aged mice. KRG-WE also increased the expression of autophagy-related genes and their protein levels in colon, liver, and stomach. Conclusion: The results suggest that KRG can suppress inflammatory responses and recover autophagy activity in aged mice.

• 한국토양비료학회지
• /
• 제49권6호
• /
• pp.795-806
• /
• 2016

This study was conducted to improve the continuous techniques for international competitiveness of ginseng industry to Korea-China FTA negotiation and conclusion, and provide the basic information for ginseng industry development of Korea. It was carried out the visiting of the northeastern three provinces (Jilin, Liaoling and Heilongjang) in China for 3-year from 2014 to 2016 and observed the farmers' fields of ginseng cultivation with soil environmental status. The types of ginseng cultivation could be observed in small scales of 0.5~3.0 ha, in middle scales of 4.0~10.0 ha and in large scales of 30~700 ha with the kinds of imhasam, Chinese ginseng, Korean ginseng and western ginseng. Also ginseng was cultivated in newly reclaimed land of forest in two types of direct seeding and transplanting of ginseng seedlings. The field beds of ginseng growing were covered with vinyl films in arch design of 100~130 cm height and vinyl was painted in spraying with blue, green and yellow colours for shading. It was investigated in status of the physico-chemical properties of soils. The physical information on the field soils were silt loam, loam and sandy loam in soil textures, and some plain in low slope, some alluvial fan or local valley in forest of land topography. Soil pH ranged within 5.0~5.2, soil EC was $0.93{\sim}3.78dS\;m^{-1}$, organic matter was $37{\sim}35g\;kg^{-1}$, nitrate nitrogen $63{\sim}490mg\;kg^{-1}$, available $P_2O_5$ $55{\sim}163mg\;kg^{-1}$, and in exchangeable cations, K was 0.30~0.98, Ca was 6.5~14.0, Mg was $1.1{\sim}5.3cmol_c\;kg^{-1}$ in ranges. Farmers used the fertilizer for ginseng cultivation in 10~11 t of compost, $200{\sim}400kg\;ha^{-1}$ of complex fertilizer and $750kg\;ha^{-1}$ of oil cakes. The northeastern three provinces of China can use the newly lands with large areas of ginseng cultivation in soil sickness by continuous cropping. and the soil basic fertility is batter than that of Korean in standard guide of ginseng cultivation soil.